I wanted to share an update with you that is reflective of the world pandemic we are currently experiencing. This reflection spans my deep concern for the physical and mental health of our community to my uncompromising positivity that we will get through these times together. We know there is a lot of news and stories that are not positive right now. Yet, based on the facts that we are updated daily on we know that our stay at home and social distancing practices have made a difference. From this, I believe we are headed into smoother waters even though it is not as fast as we all want.

Ever since we started to see the first signs of “flattening the curve”, the City was proactive in making evidence-based decisions on our staff, services, and operations. While we did not have a specific plan for a pandemic in our city, we have had emergency disaster plans in place for decades. This is where our city leaders, staff, and community as a whole shine unlike any others. The unfortunate history of dealing with multiple natural disasters in our city over the last sixty years have reinforced the importance of having well-rehearsed plans in place. So, while plans were and are in place, it takes a well-trained city staff to execute on them and they have done this flawlessly.

There are daily communications with all three levels of government, including conference calls with the White House where the President and Vice President have joined us to share their insight and support for us at the local level. The communication from them and both State Representative Huizenga and Senator MacGregor have been nothing short of outstanding. Where I want to share the highest praise for Walker specifically is our partners at Kent County. The Health Department and County Administration have communicated with us at incredible levels. Decisions we have made are largely influenced by the facts they provide us with, and on behalf of our city staff we are never wondering what is going on or what should we do.

We are in a time when super-heroes are all around us. These are the common people that are our family, friends, and neighbors doing incredibly uncommon things in the most uncommon of times. These include our normal heroes like police, fire, EMS personnel, nurses, doctors, and military personnel. In these unprecedented times we have new superheroes like the truck drivers who are working around the clock to get essential items to the stores; the workers who fill the shelves at the grocery stores; the restaurant works making our take-out orders; the cashiers who take your payments; and the medical employees who are cleaning and sanitizing the facilities. While what I have listed is a short list of many super-heroes, there are so many more.

Continuing with the leadership theme, I shared a call to action on one of my Facebook videos this past week. Many people look to the Mayor as the ‘leader of their city’. I get that, yet I feel compelled in this time of need to call each one of our 25,000+ residents to be that ‘leader of our city’ as well. This is something as simple as positive messaging on social media, or even having your family write notes to residents at the assisted care and senior homes in our city. Do something that defines the spirit of who each of us are as a caring, loving community.

Building on that uncompromising positivity, there are in fact good things happening. We factually know the curve is flattening. The statistical data proves that we have made tremendous progress battling the pandemic in our area, and we will have some normalcy back in our lives soon enough. We also know the sun will come back up tomorrow and we will get another chance to be a ‘leader of our city’.

Thank you for all you are doing and May God Bless each one of you and your families and friends.

Gary L. Carey

Mayor

Mayor Carey lead a City of Walker Fire Truck and Police Car with lights on through neighborhoods in the First Ward on Friday, April 3. We were humbled by the love and support the community showed that day. We miss spending time with our community and wanted to share a wave and smile for families from the safe distance of our vehicles and let everyone know we are there for our community.

The “We Are Thinking Of You Walker” neighborhood visits will start back up again on Friday, April 17. They will visit the Second Ward (Remembrance Rd area and central part of the city) that afternoon between 2 and 4 p.m. Then on Friday, April 24, at the same time they will visit the Third Ward (Standale area and south part of Walker). If you see them come through, please smile and wave from your house or yards (they will not be stopping). Please feel free to tag the City of Walker in your photos!

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date for 2019 returns and 2020 first quarter estimated payments is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

The City of Walker will be following the IRS based on Sec. 78-54 of the local ordinance. The Income Tax Administrator will be moving the date due from April 30th to July 31st.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call us to qualify for this automatic tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 31st deadline can request a filing extension by filing our extension form found at www.walker.city.

﻿

There will not be any penalty or interest on 2019 tax due unless it was for failure to make timely estimated payments. All court dates have been postponed and will be rescheduled.

If you have already completed a W-1040-ES form requesting an automatic withdrawal of your 2020 first quarter estimated payment on or before April 30, 2020 and wish to extend the payment date, please call 616-791-6870.

DELAYED: Walker Ave and Coopersville & Marne Railway Improvements

The City of Walker has experienced a significant delay in the start of the Walker Avenue bridge removal project. The COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent Executive Orders have disrupted the supply chain and the ability for private utility companies to reroute critical infrastructure. In March we made the decision to postpone the start of the project until we could be confident in our ability to sustain steady progress towards project completion without disruption to vital telecommunications and natural gas service.

We are now targeting an updated start date of Monday, April 27th for the bridge closure and start of heavy construction. Keep in mind that during the 4 month closure Walker Avenue will be closed at Waldorf Avenue, just north of BISSELL’s corporate headquarters. We will provide additional updates as our construction team and project stakeholders firm up this new closure date. Thanks for your patience as we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 related delays.

Check your Facts! Coronavirus Disease

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for credible information regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

We have added a quick link to the CDC's website under the residents tab on our website.

Over 130 federal programs use census data to allocate more than $675 billion each year to households, towns, cities and states throughout the nation. An inaccurate count would impact funding for programs that support our state’s most vulnerable populations.

An undercount could also lead to decreased representation at the federal level, decreasing Michigan’s voice in Washington. Michigan is at risk of losing another congressional seat and a reduction of electoral college votes.

Most burn permits are suspended across the state. Burning yard debris is the top cause of wildfires in Michigan. Suspending burn permits reduces the potential for wildfires, which will limit the risk of exposing first responders to coronavirus and make sure trained personnel and equipment are available to assist with COVID-19 response as needed.

You may have a campfire or cook fire as long as it is contained and allowed by local ordinances. Never leave a fire unattended and put it out appropriately with water when done.

The police department has been adjusting to the many updates and daily changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it. Lately it seems that regulations and recommendations change daily. Keep in mind that the Walker Police Department is NOT stopping people to check to see if they are out for an essential reason. We are still policing the city and that does include traffic stops. A traffic stop still requires an observed traffic violation or probable cause to make a stop. We get daily inquiries to our Facebook page about this topic and do our best to answer them, but that is a false rumor. It is important to not be out and about socializing and traveling if it is not necessary. Stay safe and healthy.

There will be no citizen or police academy ride along requests being accommodated at this time. We are also practicing social distancing and will not be putting two people in our cruisers unless a trip to the Kent County Jail is required.

With the school year abruptly ended and the risk of COVID-19, our Senior Volunteers were put on a much-required break. We appreciate everything that the volunteers do for us and the community, but the risk to their health was not something the department wanted to take. We hope they will be back volunteering their time and talents soon.

As always, keep on with our daily posts on Facebook by liking & following “City of Walker Police Department” or clicking the green button below.

Eat 3 small meals a day with 2 snacks (protein or vegetables) in between. Stop eating 2 hours before bedtime.

7 DAYS OF FITNESS

﻿

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our 7 Days of Fitness Challenge. 7 mini challenges curated by our fitness manager, Sandie. We'll share one move each morning at 8:00 a.m.

Here’s a great video for everyone, especially players in our HAWK Hockey Program! In these challenging times, what are you doing to earn it every day, whether it’s hockey or in school? Have fun and be safe!

Coach Mike

YOUTH SPRING SOCCER CANCELLED

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Spring Soccer season has been cancelled.

We are sad about this but our soccer family's health is far more important to us!

Automatic refunds will start being issued on Tuesday, April 14 - no need to contact the Rec Dept.

If you want to transfer to the Fall season, please email Sharon or Michelle before Tuesday, April 14.

sjohnson@walkericeandfitness.com

mmay@walkericeandfitness.com

Thank you for your patience and understanding! Stay Healthy and we look forward to seeing you again in the Fall!

Adult Softball

“Take it one pitch at a time and one day at a time”

Adult Softball Registrations EXTENDED

We are still accepting online registrations for adult softball teams, if you need help with registration please email Michelle at mmay@walkericeandfitness.com with a contact number so she can set up a time to help you. Original due date was April 11 but it is extended to April 30.

The situation will be closely monitored and we are exploring alternate ways to continue providing service. For updates, visit KDL.org/coronavirus and our social media pages.

In the meantime, many digital services are available to you remotely and for free, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music, newspapers, magazines and more. Visit kdl.org/virtual for more details.

Use the library from home

Want to learn a new language, keep the kids busy with a craft, or simply relax with a good audiobook? Stream your favorite music, flip through a digital magazine, or watch an award-winning film. Check out free online resources and programs that you can access anytime from home. It’s all here.

Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from local, state and national agencies at kdl.org/coronavirus#covid

Friends of Walker Trails News

The Friends of Walker Trails has a new Facebook page, follow along for updates and news on our lengthy network of trails right here in Walker!

We all know by now the effects COVID-19 has had on our planet. We are constantly striving to do our part in making sure seniors stay safe. In order to keep the members of our senior centers, exercise classes and transportation clients safe, Senior Neighbors has temporarily suspending our senior centers. We hope to be open soon and will be following the lead of our governments. At this time we have staff answering phones from our centers and central office if you have questions.

Created by the Walker Youth Commission (2018) and adopted by the City Commissioners, this exciting video highlights the main attractions of the City of Walker, from Millennium Park to beautiful neighborhoods. This video was presented to the Walker community and soon-to-be citizens on how Walker is such a great place to live, work, and grow.